This tramp was a substitute for the planned trip to Waitekauri which for various reasons wasn't suitable.The Mokaihaha Ecological Area is situated on the Mamaku Plateau, 9.6 kms. south-east of the Mamaku township, a very small settlement which we drove through on the way home. The tramp was graded a…
Blog posts : "General"
Mokaihaha Track, 21 November 2021, Grade 2+
After the usual gathering at the car park in Collingwood st, we all set off in two vans, both full. First stop, the toilets at Tirau, was welcomed by many. Keith set a cracking pace in his van with Dianne suggesting he must have been speeding. Nevertheless, we arrived at our destination, the Mokaiha…
Whakamarama 26 September 2021
Despite the gloomy weather forecast, ten keen Grade 2+ trampers, led by Colin and Grant, set off to the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park for a supposedly six hour walk. The plan was to do a loop, starting on the Leyland O’Brien Tramway Track, leaving the track to take a scantily marked route to Salvation H…
Waiomu Grove Walk Thames: Grade 1 + 1 August 21
There were 11 trampers who arrived in the van at the Waiomu Reserve around the Firth of Thanes for a delicious shared morning tea – complete with table cloth! A while later there were 11 happy trampers, after they had all eaten well and enjoyed the sea views. Returning to the van, they were driven t…
Summerhills Sunday 18 July 2021
On this Sunday morning 16 keen trampers met for the trip across to Papamoa for the Summerhills Park tramp. Despite the appalling weather the day before, it looked like we would get most of the day in before the rain which was forecast for the afternoon.
The Summerhills park was very well set up w…
Lakes Okareka & Tikitapu 4 July 2021
Two vans and a car left Hamilton at 7.30am and headed towards Rotorua. First stop for morning tea was beside picturesque misty Lake Okareka, where we were briefed on the day ahead. We all climbed aboard the vans again and drove a few minutes up the road to start the Okareka Walkway excursion. It …
Pirongia 6 June 2021
Wilson Clearing/Bell Track – G2
Two vans of Wanderers, down in numbers due to the inclement weather, set off to the Limeworks Loop Road and the Kaniwaniwha Reserve Carpark. Leaving the G1’s, eight of us G2’s headed off walking beside the Kaniwaniwha Stream on the Nikau Track. After crossing a…
Pirongia 6 June 2021
Bell Track – G1
After a very early morning tea in the carpark seven of us set off in high spirits for a good day in the bush. As we got close to the forest we were overtaken on the track by two people with seven very excited but well behaved dogs.
Once on the Bell Track we headed for the…
Hakarimata 9th May 2021
There were 9 members aboard the van for this close-to-home trip, and two visitors were going to join us at the Ngaruawahia car park. Then the fun began. The bulletin described one trip, but an email had been circulated describing three options. Who would go where? We all went up the track that led t…
Old Reservoir Road. Sunday 25th April 2021
Getting up early Anzac day is something most of us will have done, but while I couldn't go to the local dawn service I listened to the broadcast on National Radio of the service held at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park as I ate my breakfast.
On arrival at the carpark I was greeted like a lo…
Strawberry Trees 23 May 2021
I led this group of 20 people on a loop track that I had done many times before, hoping this time to see the legendary drunk tuis feasting on fermented dogwood fruit at the site of a long disappeared mining village. Carol confirmed to us all at the start of our trip that she had seen this sight befo…
Broken Hills G2 11 April 2021
A full van of 12 set off from Hamilton with a forecast of rain ahead, but luckily when we reached Tairua the sky was clear.
We set off up a pretty steep hill in good spirits, and with the humidity at about 105% we were soon feeling the heat, with some of us leaking as much liquid out as we could …
Broken Hills G1+ 11 April 2021
There were 9 keen trampers for this trip. Rain had been forecast but we were fortunate, it was a beautiful autumn day, very hot and humid at times. After the usual morning tea, we set off with enthusiasm up the Water Race Track. It wasn't an easy climb but we walked slowly and steadily and it was no…
Kauaeranga Valley - G1.5 28 February 2021
We set off with a full van of Wanderers on a beautiful day and made our way to the valley via the Swamp Road. At the DOC information centre, we viewed a film on the history of kauri milling in the valley during the late 19th/early 20th century. This made us appreciate the location of our tramp …
Luck at Last Mine Tramp, Whangamata, Sunday 14th March 2021
On a perfect mild mid-February day 26 trampers, under Diane’s expert guidance, headed along the picturesque rocky, river- flanked track and old carriageway to explore well-preserved relics of this 1899-1901 promising gold operation. We were 7 kms north of Whangamata, and 3 kms down a forestry road.…
Hobsonville Art Trail Sunday 29th November, 2020
The weather had been fine and warm for the survey and it would have been lovely if that had been so on the Sunday. We could have enjoyed the sun, as well as the art work and cafes. But it was not to be - it was mostly rain coat weather. However, it was an interesting day, though completely different…
Te Tuhi Sunday 1 November 2020
10 trampers signed on for this tramp. The day started overcast/possibility of a shower.
Arriving at the Te Tuhi Road end about 08:25, the group was ready and off at 08:45. The track started on the farm road and after a few electric fence crossings and styles, entered lush farmland that was undulati…
Wairere Falls - Sunday 1 November 2020
9 trampers left Hamilton at 7.30am and headed to Wairere Falls under a moody sky.
After morning tea in the car park we set off at a very leisurely pace, enjoying the birdsong and bush. We soon encountered lots of huge moss-covered boulders, tree roots and rocks and we took our time to safely na…
Te Whare Okioki - A relatively easy walk 1 Nov 2020.
I had heard stories about the new Te Whare Okioki, and wanted to see it for myself. I had heard it was about 3 hours walk from several entry points to the Kaimais, so proposed going in up the Te Tuhi track, about an hour’s drive from Hamilton. I knew the first hour or so up that track was steep, bu…
Around Town Walking Trail, Pukekohe Sunday 18 October 2020
The trail started at the railway station, passing along Harris Street through Bledisloe Park for a lazy morning tea in Samuel Miller Reserve.
Continuing on through quiet roads with many fine new properties, the trail headed towards Pukekohe Hill but diverted to miss the steepish push to the top. …
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